Occupant Protection Apparatus For A Center Console Vessel

ABSTRACT

An occupant protection apparatus is provided for a vessel having a center helm console supported by a deck, wherein the console is disposed between and separated from opposing port and starboard gunwales of the vessel. The apparatus comprises a rigid panel member operably engaged with each of the port and starboard sides of the console. Each panel member has fore and aft ends, wherein the fore end of each panel member is pivotably attached to the starboard and port sides, respectively, of the console such that the aft side of each panel member is pivotable between an inboard position adjacent to the respective port and starboard sides of the console, and an outboard position adjacent to the respective port and starboard gunwales of the vessel. The panel members in the outboard position protect the occupant from wind and/or water spray produced by the vessel moving through water.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/210,152, filed Aug. 23, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein inits entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an enclosure for waterborne vesselsand, more particularly, to an occupant protection apparatus for a centerconsole vessel.

2. Description of Related Art

One popular form of a waterborne vessel or boat is configured such thatthe occupants of the boat, such as the captain, crew, or passengers, areable to walk around the helm between the stern or cockpit area and thebow of the boat. Such a boat configuration is often referred to as a“walk-around” or “center console” boat (hereinafter referred to as a“center console boat” having a “center helm console,” for brevity).Bodies of water plied by such boats, for example, large lakes or theocean, may sometimes get rough due to wind and/or current and/or otherfactors. In such instances, the combination of wind and waves may oftenresult in spray being generated by the boat moving through such roughwater. Sometimes, however, spray may be generated if any wind isblowing, regardless of the particular sea state. In any event, the spraytypically becomes airborne due to the wind and ends up blowing on orinto the boat. As a result, even though the occupants of the boat areriding at or aft of the console (helm) as the boat is moving, theoccupants will generally get wet from this spray.

In some instances, a rigid transparent windshield may be added to thecenter console to deflect some of the wind and/or spray. Also, a top,such as a t-top, hardtop, or bimini top may be added to the console toprovide overhead shelter from the wind and/or spray. However, foraesthetic, ergonomic, or structural reasons, such a windshield or topmay not extend sufficiently around the center console to protect theoccupants of the boat from the wind and/or spray. As such, the boatmanufacturer or the boat owner sometimes install a soft enclosure,otherwise referred to as “curtains,” in the alternative or in additionto the windshield and/or top. Such curtains are generally comprised ofone or more panels of a fabric (such as a canvas-type material) that mayhave an insert of a clear plastic for visibility through the panel. Thepanels are typically joined together by zippers, snaps, or othersuitable fasteners. The panels may be configured in many differentmanners, but generally are put together to enclose at least the frontand both sides of the console by extending up to the top disposedoverhead. In order to increase the protected area behind the console,some also configure the side panels to be attached to the console at thefront end thereof and to extend out to the gunwales proceeding aft.

Such soft enclosures, however, may exhibit shortcomings that may notappeal to all boat owners. For example, the clear plastic portions ofthe panels tend to distort vision therethrough, and may be easilyscratched. Over time, these clear plastic portions may become damaged bysolar radiation and experience “yellowing” or otherwise become opaque.The clear plastic portions damaged in this manner often become brittleand are easily cracked. Further, one popular way to stow such curtainsout of the way so as to, for instance, provide air flow behind theconsole, is to roll up the curtains to be suspended under the top. Insuch instances, though, if moisture is present on the clear plasticpanels, or such panels become wet while rolled up, the clear plastic maybe come clouded. Also, rolling the curtains tends to result in scratchesin the clear plastic portions. In addition, once rolled or removed fromthe boat, the curtains tend to “shrink” or otherwise contract due to thenature of the materials forming the curtains. As a result, reinstalling,or unrolling and re-fastening, the curtains may be difficult,particularly in colder weather. At the same time, the zippers, snaps, orother fasteners used to secure the curtains to each other and to theboat may corrode and/or tear out of the curtain fabric. Also, theportions of the fasteners secured to the boat may be obtrusive orunsightly.

Thus, there exists a need for an apparatus for protecting the occupantof a center console vessel from becoming wet due to spray caused bymotion of the boat in combination with wind and/or waves as the boat ismoving. Such an apparatus should be durable, aesthetically pleasing,unobtrusive, user-friendly, and readily implemented.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other needs are met by the present invention which, in oneembodiment, provides an occupant protection apparatus for a waterbornevessel having a center helm console supported by a deck, wherein thecenter helm console is disposed between and separated from opposing portand starboard gunwales of the vessel so as to allow an occupant to movebetween fore and aft sides of the center helm console past one of a portside and a starboard side thereof. Such an apparatus comprises a rigidpanel member operably engaged with each of the port and starboard sidesof the center helm console, wherein each rigid panel member has opposingfore and aft ends. The fore end of each rigid panel member is pivotablyattached to the starboard and port sides, respectively, of the centerhelm console such that the aft side of each rigid panel member ispivotable between an inboard position adjacent to the respective portand starboard sides of the center helm console, and an outboard positionadjacent to the respective port and starboard gunwales of the vessel.The rigid panel members in the outboard position thereby protect theoccupant from at least one of wind and water spray produced by thevessel moving through water.

Embodiments of the present invention thus provide significant advantagesas further detailed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an occupant protection apparatus for acenter console vessel in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention, implemented on a center console vessel;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a rear perspective view of an occupantprotection apparatus for a center console vessel in accordance with theembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, with the occupantprotection apparatus being deployed in an outboard position;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a rear perspective view of the occupantprotection apparatus of FIG. 2 retracted to an inboard position;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a forward cross-sectional view of theoccupant protection apparatus shown in FIG. 1, taken along section 1-1of FIG. 1, with the occupant protection apparatus being deployed in anoutboard position; and

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a forward cross-sectional view of theoccupant protection apparatus shown in FIG. 1, taken along section 1-1of FIG. 1, with the occupant protection apparatus retracted to aninboard position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate an occupant protection apparatus for a vesselaccording to one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatusbeing generally indicated by the numeral 100, and the vessel beinggenerally indicated by the numeral 50. Waterborne vessels 50 can beconfigured in many different shapes and sizes. However, as previouslydiscussed, one particularly popular form of a waterborne vessel 50(otherwise referred to herein as a “boat 50”) is configured such thatthe occupants of the boat 50, such as the captain, crew, or passengers,are able to walk on the deck 75 of the boat 50 around the helm 250(housed by a console 400) between the stem or cockpit area 275 of theboat 50 (the aft side 400A of the console 400) and the bow 300 (the foreside 400B of the console 400) of the boat 50. The console 400 is furtherconfigured so as to define walking spaces 425, 450 on either sidethereof and between opposing port and starboard gunwales 475, 500 of theboat 50. Such a configuration is often referred to as a “walk-around” or“center console” boat 50.

The configuration of a center console boat 50 generally does not providethe occupant(s) much protection from wind and water spray generated bythe boat 50 moving through the water. Accordingly, the occupantprotection apparatus 100 is configured to cooperate with the console 400so as to provide such protection for the occupants from becoming wet dueto spray caused by motion of the boat 50 in combination with wind and/orwaves as the boat 50 is moving. In one embodiment, the apparatus 100comprises a pair of rigid panel members 125, 150 operably engaged withthe port 400C and starboard 400D sides, respectively, of the console400. Such panel members 125, 150 may be formed of any rigid materialhaving sufficient durability, corrosion resistance, mechanical strength,aesthetic appearance, or any other property suitable for the marineenvironment. Examples of suitable materials include aluminum andstainless steel, though these examples are not intended to be limitingin any respect whatsoever. For instance, any number of plasticmaterials, carbon fiber, or the like may also be used.

The fore ends 125A, 150A of the respective panel members 125, 150 areparticularly configured to be pivotably engaged with the port 400C andstarboard 400D sides, respectively, of the console 400. Such a pivotableengagement may be accomplished by one or more hinge mechanisms, as willbe appreciated by one skilled in the art, disposed between and operablyengaged with the console 400 and the respective panel members 125, 150.In this configuration, the aft ends 125B, 150B of the respective panelmembers 125, 150 are capable of moving between the console 400 and thecorresponding port and starboard gunwales 475, 500 of the boat 50. Thepanel members 125, 150 are thus configured to be pivotable between aninboard position (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5) where the corresponding aftends 125B, 150B are adjacent to the console 400, and an outboardposition (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4) where the corresponding aft ends125B, 150B are adjacent to the respective gunwales 475, 500. Moreparticularly, with the panel members 125, 150 in the inboard position,the occupant(s) can move freely through the walking spaces 425, 450 oneither side of the console 400. In the outboard position, the aft ends125B, 150B are adjacent to the gunwales 475, 500 such that the walkingspaces 425, 450 are essentially blocked. In the outboard position, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the panel members 125, 150 are configured toincrease the effective frontal area of the console 400 such that windand water spray are deflected further outboard of the console 400 thanwith the panel members 125, 150 in the inboard position. In this manner,the occupants are better protected from wind and/or water spray,particularly when the wind and/or spray are quartering with respect tothe heading of the boat 50.

The panel members 125, 150 are generally wide enough (between the fore125A, 150A and aft 125B, 150B ends, respectively) to extend between theconsole 400 and the corresponding gunwale 475, 500 in the outboardposition. As such, in the outboard position, the panel members 125, 150can be at any angle with respect to the console 400. In someembodiments, the aft ends 125B, 150B of the panel members 125, 150 canextend up to about 90 degrees from the respective port and starboardsides 400C, 400D of the console 400. It is also noted here that thepanel members 125, 150 may be of any suitable shape for accomplishingthe aforementioned goal of providing protection for the occupants of theboat 50 behind the helm 250. That is, the panel members 125, 150 may berectangular, tapered, or any other suitable shape, as will beappreciated by one skilled in the art as being within the spirit andscope of the present invention. Further, the panel members 125, 150 arepreferably configured, at least in the inboard position, to appear in anaesthetically-pleasing manner to be an integral part of the console 400.

In some instances, the console 400 may include a transparent windshield550 (or windshield frame) attached to the fore side 400B of the console400 for providing some protection for the occupants, while allowingsuitable visibility therethrough. As such, the panel members 125, 150are generally configured to extend between the top end of the windshield550 and the deck 75. However, the panel members 125, 150 may extend forany length as desired for a particular application. For example, in someinstances, the panel members 125, 150 may extend from about the top endof the windshield 550 to the top ends 475A, 500A of the respectivegunwales 475, 500. Further, each panel member 125, 150 also includes arigid transparent panel 130, 155 operably engaged therewith so as toallow the occupant(s) behind the helm 250 to be able to see therethrough(as well as through the panel members 125, 150). Typically, thetransparent panels 130, 155 are incorporated into the panel members 125,150 above the top ends 475A, 500A of the gunwales 475, 500, though oneskilled in the art will appreciate that such transparent panels 130, 155may extend over considerably varying areas of the panel members 125,150, from substantially all to a minor portion of the panel members 125,150. In some instances, the transparent panels 130, 155 may comprise theentirety of the panel members 125, 150. The transparent panels 130, 155may be comprised of any appropriate material such as, for example,polycarbonate, glass, or any other material having sufficientbreaking/shattering resistance, light transmissivity, ultravioletradiation resistance, and/or any other necessary property commensuratewith the application and suitable for the marine environment.

In other embodiments, the console 400 may also include a top 600, suchas a t-top, hardtop, or bimini top operably engaged therewith to provideoverhead shelter from the wind and/or water spray. In such instances,the panel members 125, 150 may also be configured to extend up to thetop 600. Further, to provide additional protection against wind and/orwater spray for the occupant(s), one or more seal members 650A may beprovided at the fore ends 125A, 150A; top ends 125C, 150C; and/or bottomends 125D, 150D of the panel members 125, 150. If provided, seal members650A at the fore ends 125A, 150A of the panel members 125, 150 wouldprevent water spray from passing through the connection between thepanel members 125, 150 and the console 400. If provided in instanceswhere the boat 50 includes a top 600, seal members 650A at the top ends125C, 150C would prevent water spray from passing through the areabetween the panel members 125, 150 and the top 600. Seal members 650A atthe bottom ends 125D, 150D are optional and would prevent water or waterspray from passing through the area between the panel members 125, 150and the deck 75.

In some embodiments, the panel members 125, 150 may be manuallypivotable between the inboard and outboard positions. In such instances,the panel members 125, 150 may be provided with a suitable lockingmechanism (not shown) to hold the panel members 125, 150 in the inboardand/or outboard positions. In other instances, a pneumatic gas cylinder(not shown) may be provided between each panel member 125, 150 and theconsole 400. One skilled in the art will appreciate that such pneumaticgas cylinders allow the panel members 125, 150 to be manually actuated,with the pneumatic gas cylinders configured to normally bias the panelmembers 125, 150 toward the outboard position. Accordingly, when thepanel members 125, 150 are manually retracted to the inboard position, asuitable locking mechanism (not shown) would be provided to hold thepanel members 125, 150 in the inboard position. In yet other instances,an actuator device 700A, 700B may be provided between each panel member125, 150 and the console 400. Such an actuator device 700A, 700B maycomprise, for example, an electrically- or hydraulically-operatedextendable ram device such as that used for trim tabs, as will beappreciated by one skilled in the art. In those instances, the actuatordevices 700A, 700B can be controlled, for example, by a controller 750mounted at the helm 250 within convenient reach of the occupant(s). Forinstance, where the actuator devices 700A, 700B compriseelectrically-operated extendable rams, the controller 750 may compriseelectrical switches mounted at the helm 250. Similar switches may beused to operate a reversible hydraulic pump in instances where theactuator devices 700A, 700B are hydraulically-operated rams. In anyinstances, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the panel members125, 150 may be configured to be independently and selectively movablebetween the inboard and outboard positions, while, in other instances,the panel members 125, 150 may be configured to be movable only inconcert (i.e., both panel members 125, 150 movable to the inboard oroutboard position in synchronization).

Embodiments of the present invention thus provide an apparatus 100 forprotecting occupants of a center console boat 50 from wind and/or waterspray, as the boat 50 is moving. In doing so, the apparatus 100 can beconfigured to be suitably durable, aesthetically pleasing, unobtrusive,user-friendly, and readily implemented, as described in detail herein.In this manner, the apparatus 100 can be designed into the vessel 50itself or readily retrofitted into existing vessels 50 to perform in themanner described.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1. An occupant protection apparatus for a waterborne vessel having acenter helm console supported by a deck, the center helm console beingdisposed between and separated from opposing port and starboard gunwalesof the vessel so as to allow an occupant to move between fore and aftsides of the center helm console past one of a port side and a starboardside thereof, said apparatus comprising: a rigid panel member operablyengaged with each of the port and starboard sides of the center helmconsole, each rigid panel member having opposing fore and aft ends, thefore end of each rigid panel member being pivotably attached to thestarboard and port sides, respectively, of the center helm console suchthat the aft side of each rigid panel member is pivotable between aninboard position adjacent to the respective port and starboard sides ofthe center helm console, and an outboard position adjacent to therespective port and starboard gunwales of the vessel, the rigid panelmembers in the outboard position thereby being adapted to protect theoccupant from at least one of wind and water spray produced by thevessel moving through water.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1further comprising a rigid transparent panel operably engaged with eachrigid panel member and configured to allow an occupant behind the centerhelm console to see therethrough.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1further comprising an actuator device operably engaged between thecenter helm console and each rigid panel member, each actuator devicebeing selectively actuatable to move the corresponding rigid panelmember between the inboard and outboard positions.
 4. An apparatusaccording to claim 3 further comprising a controller device operablyengaged with at least one of the actuator devices, the controller devicebeing mounted to the center helm console and being configured so as toallow the occupant to control the at least one of the actuator devices.5. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the actuator device isconfigured to be at least one of electrically-operated,pneumatically-operated, and hydraulically-operated.
 6. An apparatusaccording to claim 3 wherein the actuator device comprises an extendableram mechanism.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the vesselfurther includes a top configured to extend over the center helmconsole, and wherein the rigid panel members are configured to extendbetween the top and the deck.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7wherein each rigid panel member includes an upper end adjacent to thetop and a lower end adjacent to the deck, and wherein at least one ofthe upper end and the lower end of each rigid panel member includes aseal member operably engaged therewith so as to provide a seal with thecorresponding one of the top and the deck.
 9. An apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein, in the inboard position, each rigid panel member isconfigured to extend substantially parallel to the corresponding one ofthe port side and the starboard side of the center helm console so as toallow the occupant to pass between the center helm console and one ofthe port gunwale and starboard gunwale.
 10. An apparatus according toclaim 1 further comprising a seal member extending along the fore end ofeach rigid panel member, where the rigid panel member is pivotablyattached to the center helm console, so as to provide a seal with thecenter helm console at least when the respective rigid panel member isin the outboard position.